About Journal of Economic Exploitation and Inequality

Aims and scope

The journal provides a platform for critical inquiry into the mechanisms of economic exploitation and strategies for its reduction. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue with an economic focus, it brings together researchers from economics, business, sociology, psychology, political science, law, ethics, and philosophy. It aims to inform policymakers, business leaders, and academics about the structural and institutional factors that contribute to economic exploitation, offering insights that can drive meaningful economic and social change.

With an international scope, the journal welcomes research that examines economic exploitation across regions, industries, and historical periods. It prioritises studies that provide empirical evidence and theoretical reflections on the structural inequalities underpinning contemporary forms of exploitation.

Methodologies and Theoretical Approaches

The journal encourages diverse methodological approaches, including theoretical models that conceptualise economic exploitation, empirical studies employing surveys, experiments, case studies, and meta-analyses synthesising existing research. Mixed-methods approaches are also welcome, particularly where qualitative and quantitative insights are integrated to offer a more comprehensive understanding of economic exploitation. The journal is particularly interested in contributions that introduce innovative quantitative methodologies to assess economic exploitation within various economic frameworks.

In line with its pluralistic orientation, the journal welcomes research informed by a range of economic schools of thought, including Neoclassical, Institutional, Keynesian, Sraffian, Marxian, Behavioural, and Stratification Economics. It also invites contributions from Feminist, Queer, and Socio-Economic studies.

The journal encourages research in the field of development economics, particularly aspects related to dependency theory and coordination failures, and the importance of country-specific contexts in shaping institutions, labour practices, and migration policies.

Moreover, the journal seeks to engage with the philosophy of economics and, in particular, social ontology and social positioning theory, which provide frameworks for investigating the nature of power relations, structural conditions, and their role in facilitating economic exploitation.

Submissions applying business-oriented theories—such as the capabilities approach, critical management studies, and institutional theory—to examine exploitative business practices and organisational structures are particularly encouraged.

Core Research Themes

The journal seeks to explore intersections between economic exploitation, labour market segmentation, income inequality, discrimination, and poverty.

Labour market exploitation remains a central theme, encompassing precarious and informal labour, undeclared work, forced labour, modern slavery, child labour, human trafficking, and resource extraction. The journal is particularly interested in studies analysing gender-based and racialised exploitation within labour markets, as well as research on digital platform labour, the gig economy, and algorithmic control. Recognising that exploitation occurs across various sectors, the journal prioritises research examining industries such as manufacturing, agriculture, digital markets, domestic work, sex work, and begging.

Corporate exploitation, particularly within multinational enterprises, is another key area of focus. Submissions examining exploitative employment standards, corporate social responsibility initiatives, and the impact of multinational enterprises on global supply chains are welcome. The journal prioritises research on risk management, resilience, and transparency in global supply chains, as well as the role of finance and investment in enabling or curbing exploitation.

Recognising the profound impact of social stratification, the journal invites research exploring caste hierarchies, the historical and contemporary effects of colonial legacies, and systemic economic disparities. Studies that investigate how caste-based discrimination influences labour markets, resource allocation, and economic opportunity, as well as research on the economic vulnerabilities shaped by colonial histories, are strongly encouraged.

The journal welcomes papers examining the historical impact of slavery and colonialism on regional economic development and growth, as well as how these legacies continue to shape contemporary economic structures, particularly in ways that affect Indigenous Peoples. It strongly encourages research that explores the roots of modern forms of slavery and exploitation, recognising the critical role of historical economic structures in shaping contemporary patterns of exploitation.

The journal aims to highlight the experiences of marginalised, minoritised, and vulnerable groups, including those at risk of poverty, engaged in undeclared labour, and migrants and refugees, who are often disproportionately affected by economic exploitation, discrimination and inequality. It also invites research focusing on intra-household power dynamics that foster economic exploitation, particularly in relation to gender dimensions.

Studies examining decolonised theoretical and methodological approaches are also welcome, as they provide critical perspectives that challenge dominant paradigms and contribute to more inclusive, contextually relevant scholarship.

The journal also encourages comparative and case-based studies that explore alternative economic structures and social institutions which mediate, challenge, or reinforce economic exploitation and inequality. This includes investigations into social welfare systems, labour unions, cooperatives, and other forms of collective organisation. Submissions examining the roles of community, religious, familial, cultural, educational, business, and financial institutions—particularly in how they intersect with or buffer against exploitative practices—are welcome. Studies that illuminate the transformative or complicit roles of these institutions in shaping economic outcomes across diverse regional and historical contexts are particularly encouraged.

Special Issues and Thematic Collections

The journal is open to proposals for special issues focusing on specific dimensions of economic exploitation. Guest editors are encouraged to propose thematic collections that enrich scholarly discourse and inform policy debates on reducing exploitation in diverse economic contexts.

Alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Journal of Economic Exploitation and Inequality aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and seeks to contribute to global efforts in promoting economic justice. It particularly supports research addressing SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).